LU Cards Close Week with Second Scrimmage

The thunderstorms avoided Beaumont long enough for the Lamar University football team to complete its second scrimmage of preseason camp Sunday evening at Provost Umphrey Stadium. It was the final workout for the team before starting classes Monday morning.

“Tonight wasn’t good enough in my opinion,” said LU head coach Ray Woodard. “I wanted us to look a little sharper. We are really playing hard and getting after it, and it’s not easy for both sides to look good at the same time when you’re playing against yourself. I was a little disappointed we didn’t put a few more of these scoring opportunities in the end zone for touchdowns. On the other side, I’m very proud of our defense for holding them out.”

The LU offense found the end zone twice during the scrimmage but both scores came late. Big Red’s defense was making it tough on the offense almost from the start. The defense picked off senior Carson Earp’s second pass of the scrimmage. The second team defense came onto the field and took advantage of a high snap. The ball got away from transfer Andrew Allen which was recovered in the end zone for six points.

On the night, the defense picked off one pass, forced two fumbles, three sacks, 10 tackles for losses, three quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. Sophomore Davon Jernigan led the defense with six tackles and a quarterback hurry, while DeSoto freshman Caleb Abrom added five tackles. Seniors Xavier Bethany and Brannon Beaton each added four stops.

Despite the offense’s inability to crack the goal line, junior kicker Alex Ball made sure the offense didn’t walk away empty handed. Ball was a perfect 5-of-5 on field goals on the night, connecting on tries of 44, 26, 21, 44 and 22 yards.

Earp completed 12-of-22 passes for 148 yards and an interception against the first team defense, while Allen took to the field against the second teamers. He completed 6-of-10 passes for 101 yards.

The Cardinals ground attack was led by senior All-American Kade Harrington who finished the night with six carries for 26 yards, but did get dropped for a loss on one of his rushes. He was one of eight ball carries who got dropped for at least one loss on the night. Nederland freshman Austin Krautz carried the ball a game-high 10 times for 20 yards.

The offensive bright spot came from freshman walk-on Case Robinson. The Crockett, Texas native, completed all four of his pass attempts for 137 yards and two touchdowns. His first scoring strike was a 70-yard bomb to Beaumont freshman Kendrick King. Robinson’s third attempt went to another freshman – Garrison Spring – in the back corner of the end zone.

The Cardinals will kick off the 2016 opener Saturday, Sept. 3, when nationally ranked Coastal Carolina comes to the Golden Triangle. The game against the Chanticleers is slated to begin at 7 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium.